Battery and Energy Storage Technology Testing and Commercialization Center To Be Established in Rochester, New York

Eastman Business Park in Rochester, New York will be home to a new $23 million Battery and Energy Storage Technology Testing and Commercialization Center. The Center will be located at Building 308 of the Eastman Business Park where it is leasing more than 17,000 square feet of space from Eastman Kodak. Construction is slated to be completed by fall of 2013, with the Center opening planned for December 2013.

DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability, a global energy consultancy company, is partnering with New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium, a consortium of more than 125 manufacturers, suppliers, universities, utilities, and engineering firms, to relocate an existing energy storage testing operation from DNV KEMA’s laboratory facility in Pennsylvania to the new center in Upstate New York.

The project will include an investment of up to $16 million by DNV KEMA and $6.9 million in State grant funds from NY-BEST for capital improvements and the purchase of advanced testing equipment. NY-BEST was created in 2010 with a $25 million grant from State government to position New York State as a global leader in energy storage technology, including applications in grid storage and heavy-duty transportation.

Dr. William Acker, Executive Director of NY-BEST, said, “New York is home to global leaders in energy storage technology research and development and manufacturing. NY-BEST is grateful to Governor Cuomo for his support of the energy storage industry and we are delighted to have secured a tremendous partner in DNV KEMA to bring the BEST Testing and Commercialization Center to fruition. DNV KEMA’s expertise and investment in the Center will ensure its role as a magnet to attract and grow the energy storage industry here in New York State.”

Hugo van Nispen, Chief Operating Officer of DNV KEMA’s Americas Division, said, “Energy storage is a key enabler for the transition to a reliable, sustainable and flexible electricity supply, especially as renewable and distributed energy are connected into the grid and become essential to a balanced energy portfolio. By combining our legacy as an independent global authority in testing, inspection and certification combined with our energy business and technical consulting expertise, we can enable the Center to provide timely technical analysis and strategic direction to the expanding development, commercialization and certification issues within this emerging market.”

“This $23 million high-tech project between DNV KEMA and NY-BEST is another example of how public-private partnerships are leading the way in job creation, research and development, and regional economic growth,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “This collaboration will spur innovation in the development of critical energy storage technology, helping to improve reliability and resiliency in New York’s electric grid and creating good jobs in the Rochester area. I am happy that DNV KEMA has chosen to expand their operations in New York State, and look forward to working with them to grow our clean-energy economy.”